Re: Bayside Trains driver stood down.

["Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au>]

David Johnson <trainman@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
3790A30C.5A3DBEFD@ozemail.com.au">news:3790A30C.5A3DBEFD@ozemail.com.au...
> MarkBau1 wrote:
>
> > << : How can this be?  What form of safeworking is in force where a
level
> > crossing is
> > : not operating with a signal showing proceed and a train in the
section? >>
> >
> > I would guess that there are more crossings in Australia that do not
work in
> > conjunction with signals than crossings that do.
> >
> > I doubt any of the signals between Junee and Albury (as a NSW example
that I'm
> > familiar with) are in any way synch'd with signals unless at a station
or
> > crossing loop. Otherwise you would have (where there is a signal near a
level
> > crossing) a ridiculous situation where a train would have to slow down
until
> > the booms lowered or flashing lights came on, not very practible at say
115KPH.
>
> The level crossings in that section detect the speed of the train and
lower at the
> correct time.  You would never have a train passing the crossing without
it
> opeating.
>
> --
> David Johnson
> CityRail Guard
> trainman@ozemail.com.au
> http://www.ozemail.com.au/~trainman/
>
>

Mark is right,even in NSW the operation of crossings is the same as
Victoria.

The operation of level crossings is acheived by the train entering a track
circiut section governing that crossing.

In the case of a location where the crossing is also protected by a fixed
signal, (be it a Home or an Automatic), the crossing track circuit is also
tied in with the signalling circuit.

i.e: If the signal is at proceed the crossing will activate as soon as the
train enters the crossing circuit, (usually about 500 or 600m before the
crossing, this can vary with track speed and crossing predictors but its OK
for this explanation). If the signal protecting the crossing is at Stop the
circuit will not activate, the booms etc. will not work.

However if a train over ran this signal or if the Driver was operating under
Rule 1, Section 3 (Reg 74 for you Mark), as soon as the wheels crossed the
Bell Block for the signal the Booms would activate and the lights start
flashing.

In Melbourne at most stations that have a crossing at the end of the
platform, the train activates a track circuit approaching the platform, this
sets off a sequence of events, firstly activating the crossing and then
clearing the signal, (providing the track section is clear of cause). The
reason for this sequence is to reduce delay to road traffic when the train
is stationary in the platform.

As for the Dandenong issue I have been in this industry long enough not to
speculate, I will say though that I believe it was the crossing on the down
end of Dandy just before the South Eastern line Junction. But as to what
happened I could not say.

Bob.